Business
May 26, 2023 | 4:03 p.m.
Target donated $2.1 million to an LGBTQ advocacy group that lobbied school districts not to tell parents if their children identify as another gender, according to a report in Fox News Digital line.
The retail giant, which has been the subject of widespread boycott calls following protests against its “PRIDE” collection, has partnered with the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), a group of teachers founded in 1990 with the goal of “creating nurturing learning environments for LGBTQ youth.
GLSEN also opposed lawmakers’ efforts to ban LGBTQ books with sexually explicit themes.
“GLSEN is leading the movement in creating affirming… and anti-racist spaces for LGBTQIA+ students. We are proud of over 10 years of working with GLSEN and continue to support their mission,” Target said.
“Target and GLSEN share the belief that all children deserve the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe environment,” said Laysha Ward, executive vice president and chief corporate social responsibility officer. at Target.
“The voices and stories of students and educators in this documentary show how far we have come as a nation and give us hope that all students can reach their full potential and be proud of who they are.”
GLSEN is among the organizations that have urged states and school districts to refrain from notifying parents whenever students decide to “social transition” their gender.
School leaders told The Washington Post that it was necessary to withhold information from parents in order to avoid taking out children who might be in danger at home.
A controversial practice used by some schools in at least 18 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, is to ask teachers to use new trans names for children in class, but then revert to the “dead” names of origin when talking with the parents.
The secrecy surrounding the sex of the children has prompted several lawsuits in states including Massachusetts, Florida, Wisconsin, Kansas, Virginia and Maryland.
GLSEN also urged teachers to intervene if children draw graphics or pictures involving sex to ensure they are in line with gender ideology.
“When students create their own surveys, if they wish to include data on biological sex, teachers should ensure that they include both intersex and others as choices,” GLSEN wrote in a post. blog titled “How can we make the math classroom more inclusive of trans and non-binary identities.
“(A) and if students want to include gender data, a variety of choices must be included, such as agender, genderfluid, female, male, non-binary, transman, transwoman, and other.”
The Post has sought comment from Target and GLSEN.
Target said Tuesday it was removing some items from its stores and making other changes to its LGBTQ+ merchandise nationwide ahead of the month of Pride after an intense backlash from some customers who clashed with workers and destroyed displays.
“Since introducing this year’s collection, we have experienced threats affecting our team members’ sense of safety and well-being at work,” Target said in a statement Tuesday.
Target has lost more than $9 billion in market value since angry social media users called for a boycott of the Minneapolis-based retailer over its rollout of the “PRIDE” collection featuring LGBTQ-friendly clothing for kids.